liver pain

[mrscared1]

Would very very light pain that comes and goes over the course of a year be a early stage of liver diseases?  Such as hepatitis or alcohol

[panda2526]

Hep A and B can be spread to others much more easily. Saliva, sweat...you can look it up for yourself. If you have been screened for the Hep viruses and nothing found, then maybe have this looked at later on again. Not likely this is your problem if you are negative 20 mths ago. You can get screened again if you feel there is just cause for being concerned about your exposure for some reason. Many of us are exposed to Hepatitis in various forms, and as long as we are healthy our immune systems fight off the virus, even if exposed to it.

Hep C is not likely passed on by sexual contact...it is blood borne. Needles, blood transfusions, surgery tools cross-contamination...Chances of Hep being your problem are not likely if they can't detect the virus at this point, so I'm not sure why you would need to be concerned about passing it.

Take care, and when you get your results let us know how everything turned out if you want, and there may be other questions that you'll have at that point someone can help you with.

you can look up the causes of liver damage or diseases of the liver, but maybe waiting for your results will help you in the meantime without getting too upset before.

Thanks for your wishes...C

[mrscared1]

They did blood and I go in for ultrasound on Monday.  I'm 43yrs old.  As far as hep I'm more concerned about others than myself.  I wouldnt want to spread it if that is the case.  Not to say I'm getting around or anything but I can deal with my own fate.  That's my biggest concern.  I guess it could be ANYTHING!  God bless you and your husband.  Thanks.

[panda2526]

Liver damage does not "start" with very, very light pain. Cirrhosis can progress over many years without symptoms or pain. Or in the early stages of liver damage or other disease there can be mild to moderate pain. Until you get your results you will not know. What tests did they do? Scans?

Liver damage from hepatitis can take decades...my husband drank heavily for many years during his teens and up until several years ago, then still drank but not as heavily, and more on weekends as yourself, and socially, but also contracted Hep C 1a they think probably in early 80's. (Thought they are not sure when or how) He is 57. You never mentioned your age. He was very fit and well-built, very active job, not overweight. He had even quit having anything to drink altogether for over 10 years as his previous wife had a drinking problem so he quit to help her. When he resumed drinking it was on a minor and social basis, and he liked Scotch now and then. So there were other things contributing to his liver damage as well as the alcohol.

He has a genetic condition on top of all that that causes his body to store excess iron, which loads onto liver first, and has had that since birth. So he has stored all the iron from his whole life in his body. He was just recently diagnosed. That disorder, too (called Hereditary Hemochromatosis) causes cirrhosis and liver disease, and makes ones risk for hepatocellular carcinoma even greater.

Even with all that, the drinking, lifestyle, having fatty liver, lesions and hemangiomas on liver, and a genetic disorder that causes liver damage, he still "only" has Stage 2 peri-portal fibrosis with grade 3 inflammation. We do not know how quickly it is progressing but he also has ascites, though not severe yet. So we are in a constant process of monitoring. All these are relatively new diagnoses as well, all within the last two and a half years. He is going to be starting Hep C treatments soon.

So, all that being said, you could have mild to moderate liver damage, depending on a lot of other factors, not just the alcohol. Symptoms do not always tell the whole story. Some people have no symptoms, progress quickly and others progress very slowly. It is an individual thing. Test results will give a better picture and answer more of your questions. Right now it is all conjecture and scenarios. Sorry.

Best wishes for a positive outcome

[mrscared1]

thanks.  but. I have drank alcohol on a regular basis for years. (Every weekend). I worked out 6 days a week and used to take Motrin wherever I hurt myself until my liver swelled and I spoke to a doctor.  I stopped immediately.  This happened 3 years ago.   I went to my doctor and I'm waiting for my results nervously.  1) if it was hepatitis would it work so fast since my last neg 20month ago test?  2)if not hep could this all be collective damage?  3) does damage usually start with very very  light pain.

[panda2526]

Hi there...you mentioned both hepatitis and alcohol...you said you've ruled out hepatitis...A, B, and C?

You also mentioned alcohol...does this mean that you drink? Alcohol can have a negative affect on the liver over time or in large quantities, depending on amount, duration, and underlying conditions, either inherited or acquired that can make liver damage even worse when consuming alcohol.

There are conditions known as fatty liver, usually due to poor lifestyle habits, overweight, insulin resistance, and forms of other liver disease. Fatty liver can lead to fibrosis and cirrohsis if not treated. The liver is one of those organs that some people never have any symptoms or pain until late stages of liver failure or disease or even cancer.

If you have not been to a dr to have liver checked, you need to do so. Get liver enzymes tested ALT, AST and GGT. If they are elevated, you need to get them to investigate why.

Maybe have an ultrasound or MRI done, as this can show inflammation if there is any, also shows other organs in the abdomen such as gallbladder and pancreas.

Age? Any other prior conditions/diseases/concerns/symptoms?

If you have recurring pain then you need to have a dr exam you and do appropriate testing. We can't do that over a computer, but there are many reasons why a person can have liver damage/disease. If you consume alcohol on regular basis or in larger quantities then you might want to reconsider until you find out the nature of your problem with a drs help.

Take care...

[mrscared1]

I used to box armature an got hit there over a year ago and it took months to go away but I still returns.  I was tested for hepitis 20 months ago and it was negative.